Three hurt when Honolulu police car collides with sedan in Nanakuli

The police car involved in a two-car collision in Nanakuli was towed to the Kapolei Police Station this morning.

Police are investigating a crash involving a blue-and-white Honolulu police car and a sedan on Farrington Highway about 1 a.m. today in Nanakuli.

Investigators said the Ford Crown Victoria police car was Waianae bound on Farrington Highway when the Cutlass entered the highway from Maaloa Street while attempting to make a left turn.

The two vehicles collided, spun around and ended up on the side of the road at the Mahalo Express convenience store, police said.

Investigators said it is not yet known if speed, on the part of the police car, was a factor in the crash. The other driver was not speeding, police said.

An ambulance took a 29-year-old man driving the Cutlass, a 30-year-old man in the passenger seat and a 38-year-old police officer to the Queen's Medical Center.

The 29-year-old man was admitted in serious condition and his passenger was in fair condition, police said. Both men are from Nanakuli.

The police officer, a 38-year-old man assigned to the Kapolei/Waianae area, was initially taken to Queen's in serious condition. But his condition improved and he was treated and released.

Traffic investigators said alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash. The police officer was wearing his seat belt, but it was not known if the other men were wearing seat belts, investigators said.

The intersection has a stop sign at Maaloa Street for vehicles entering the highway.

Maj. Mike Moses, district commander of the Kapolei/Waianae district, said the officer is a four-year veteran officer and will likely be on injured leave for a while because of the collision, he said.

Moses said traffic investigators will complete an investigation, which will determine if the officer was at fault or contributed to the accident. If the officer were at fault, he could be required to receive counseling and take driver training courses, Moses said. Criminal charges, such as negligent injury, could also apply.

Officers that cause more than one accident in a year, may receive a written reprimand or a suspension.

Moses did not know if the officer was using his siren and blue lights, and traffic investigators were not available to comment on the crash.

Police did not release the officer's driving history, citing laws that seal accident reports from the public.

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